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Canadian Response to Haiti Overwhelming

OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Jan. 14, 2010) - THE HUMANITARIAN COALITION is thanking Canadians for their generosity, and is asking them to be patient if they are experiencing problems while trying to make a donation online or by phone. The sheer level of internet and phone donations is stretching the ability of computer servers and phone call centres, but the donations are still urgently needed for the relief effort.

"The generosity of Canadians in the first 24 hours of this disaster is one of the most moving things I have ever experienced. It is literally overwhelming our donation systems," said David Morley, President and CEO of Save the Children Canada. "To those who are having difficulty getting through by internet or phone to make their donation to THE HUMANITARIAN COALITION, thank you and please be patient. We are working on our systems to adjust to the sheer magnitude of your response."

Call volumes are expected to increase following the Government of Canada announcement that it will match donations dollar-for-dollar. The matching funds will double the impact of relief efforts, saving even more lives.

The members of THE HUMANITARIAN COALITION have staff already on the ground who have begun assessments of the damage. They have reported approximately 50 per cent of houses were reported as significantly damaged or destroyed. Estimates indicate there are tens of thousands dead. Additional workers from the HUMANITARIAN COALITION members are beginning to arrive in Haiti today.

Save the Children in the Dominican Republic is procuring hygiene kits. The team arriving in Haiti today will take hygiene kits with them for distribution. CARE is working with the World Food Program to arrange food for distribution, including high protein biscuits. Oxfam is supporting rescue efforts, assessing the damage and responding with public health, water and sanitation services to prevent the spread of waterborne diseases.

With a combined presence in 120 countries, the joint efforts by the members of THE HUMANITARIAN COALITION provide a widespread and effective response to emergencies. In addition, the campaign has one call centre, one phone number and a joint website for online donations in order to make donating easy for Canadians. Public service announcements and web communications are coordinated to represent a single and unified voice.